Darmanitan Best Moveset
Hardest-hitting Fire moveset available. AbilitySheer Force adds 30% power to qualifying moves AND removes Held ItemLife Orb recoil, and 140 Attack behind Fire TermStab through MoveFlare Blitz demolishes targets. 95 Speed outruns most of the format. A-tier because the raw damage output is staggering.
Sheer Force boosted Fire Punch to 117 effective power with no Life Orb recoil in Gen V (Black & White). 140 Attack from a Fire-type. Raw power defined every set.
Best Moves
Best Build
Darmanitan best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- U Turn
- Superpower
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Same Sheer Force formula in Gen VI (X & Y). U-turn pivoted, Flare Blitz nuked switch-ins. Two gens of consistent power.
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- U Turn
- Earthquake
- Superpower
Recommended Teammates
Between tiers in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). 140 Attack was still huge but 95 Speed wasn't fast enough to sweep without Choice Scarf, and Scarf locked the move.
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- U Turn
- Superpower
Recommended Teammates
Same level in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Gorilla Tactics from Galarian Darmanitan overshadowed the original. Same idea, better execution. Four gens of Sheer Force, then replaced by its own regional form.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- U Turn
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Darmanitan Weakness
Darmanitan's Ice/Fire typing leaves it vulnerable to Rock, Water, Fighting, and Ground. Rock hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Darmanitan leans offensive (base 140 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Rock |
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Fighting, Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Ice |
What is Darmanitan Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Darmanitan
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Recommended Build AbilityOwntempo ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves View Smeargle builds →
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Recommended Build AbilityIntrepidsword ItemRustedsword NatureJolly Moves View Zacian-Crowned builds →
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Recommended Build AbilityMultitype ItemDreadplate NatureTimid Moves View Arceus-Dark builds →
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Recommended Build AbilityDesolateland ItemRedorb NatureJolly Moves View Groudon-Primal builds →
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Recommended Build AbilityPrimordialsea ItemBlueorb NatureTimid Moves View Kyogre-Primal builds →
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Evolution
Darmanitan is the evolved form of Darumaka. Breeding produces Darumaka eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Darumaka gave Darmanitan the biggest boost in Attack (+50), bringing the total to 480 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Darmanitan to get Darumaka eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
How to Get Galarian Darmanitan
No wild encounters for Darmanitan. The 2-stage line runs through Darumaka, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 35 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Darmanitan in SwSh
To get Darmanitan, start by catching Darumaka through walking encounters at Lv. 38-65. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch DarumakaRoute 8 - on Steamdrift WayLv.38-41GrassSwordRate 5%All WeatherRoute 10 - Near StationLv.43-46GrassSwordRate 5%All WeatherRoute 10Lv.44-46GrassSwordRate 5%All WeatherSnowslide SlopeLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 10%Snowstorm
Step 2Darmanitan ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Darmanitan egg.
Darmanitan isn't available in the wild in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Start by transferring Darumaka from Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, or Sword & Shield. The evolution path from Darumaka to Darmanitan is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Darmanitan in USUM
Step 1Obtain DarumakaLATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Walking · Route 4. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Walking · Route 4. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sword & ShieldNot TradeableAppears in Sword & Shield via Overworld · Snowslide Slope · Snowstorm. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Darmanitan ✓
Darmanitan can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Darumaka from Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, or Sword & Shield and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Darmanitan in SM
- Step 1Obtain DarumakaBREEDINGAvailableLeave Darmanitan with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Darumaka egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Walking · Route 4. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Walking · Route 4. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sword & ShieldNot TradeableAppears in Sword & Shield via Overworld · Snowslide Slope · Snowstorm. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Darmanitan ✓
A handful of locations for Darmanitan with high spawn rates across late-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Darmanitan in ORAS
To get Darmanitan, start by catching Darumaka through walking encounters at Lv. 36-38. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Obtain Darumaka
Step 2Darmanitan ✓Mirage Spots - Area 15Lv.36-38GrassRate 60%Mirage Spots - Area 21Lv.36-38GrassRate 60%Mirage Spots - Area 9Lv.36-38GrassRate 10%or evolve from Darumaka (Step 1)
Base Stats
Darmanitan's spread is anchored by Attack, with balanced defenses backing it up. Sp. Atk is the clear weak point. Worth 2 Attack EVs per KO, and the 1.06M XP medium-slow curve keeps leveling painless.
This Pokémon's power level rises along with the temperature of its fire, which can reach 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit
Darmanitan Guide
Don't let Darmanitan's 480 base stat total fool you. Gorilla Tactics is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier as a pivot.
Zen Mode. This is Darmanitan's defining trait. It changes darmanitan's form after each turn depending on its HP: Zen Mode below 50% max HP, and Standard Mode otherwise. Every competitive set revolves around it. If your Darmanitan doesn't have Zen Mode, it's not worth running.
Run Gorilla Tactics on Darmanitan. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Darmanitan also gets Zen Mode, but they don't compare.
Darmanitan fills the pivot role. It's a physical attacker with base 140 Attack. Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Game Availability
Darmanitan first appeared in Black & White and spans 7 games across 6 generations. It later gained a Galarian form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGalarian
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves